The United States has issued “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” the highest travel warning for Iran and Iraq, following Operation Epic Fury amid an escalating crisis.
“Following the start of US combat operations in Iran, Americans around the world and particularly in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate.”
“The State Department is advising Americans around the world to exercise extra caution,” he added.
Level 4 represents the State Department’s most serious advisory, ordering Americans not to travel to the country “for any reason.” In an updated security advisory issued March 1, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar addressed the X and said the administration has “no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans everywhere,” sharing a summary graphic outlining travel advisory levels across the Middle East.
In an image accompanying her post, Iran is described as “No US Embassy, shelter in place”. The State Department has consistently warned that it does not maintain a diplomatic presence in Iran, limiting its ability to provide direct assistance to U.S. citizens there.
For Iraq, the summary reads: “Use caution, limit movement, shelter in place as needed” under a level 4 “Do not travel for any reason”. The same graphic also places Lebanon at level 4 with the directive: “Depart now via commercial options”.
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The US says it has suffered casualties in the conflict with Iran
Meanwhile, the United States reported its first casualties in the conflict with Iran, a war that has spread to many Middle Eastern countries and raised fears of disruption to global energy markets, according to Bloomberg.
US Central Command said on Sunday that three American service members were killed and five others were “severely wounded” during operations targeting the Islamic Republic, although it did not provide further details.
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President Donald Trump said in an earlier post on social media that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the day the strikes launched by the US and its regional ally Israel.
Iran later confirmed Khamenei’s death and announced the country would observe 40 days of national mourning for the 86-year-old leader, who was killed in his office.
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Later that day, Trump mentioned in a social media post that US forces had sunk nine Iranian naval vessels and that Iran’s naval headquarters had been “largely” destroyed in a separate strike.
The conflict spread across the Middle East on Sunday as Iran retaliated against initial attacks by the US and Israel by launching successive waves of missiles at targets in several countries. Iranian missiles hit buildings in Tel Aviv, while air defense systems in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait intercepted incoming projectiles.
The US-Israel airstrike campaign in Iran has killed 555 people so far, the Iranian Red Crescent Society said.
